Summary These two seabird islands have supported more than 1% of the world population of Lesser Crested Tern and Bridled Tern.

Site description The South Barnard Islands are in the inner Great Barrier Reef, 6 km off the north Queensland coast, about 26 km south-east of Innisfail. The group consists of two high forested islands, Stephens and Sisters, joined by intertidal sand. Sisters is 2.5 ha, mostly low dense rainforest with a mangrove fringe. Most terns nest on the 0.3 ha eastern islet, which is dominated by grasses. Stephens is a 12 ha rainforest island surrounded by cliffs. There are relatively few surveys from many other neighbouring islands, which may also qualify for inclusion within the IBA, especially as Lesser Crested Terns often move breeding sites between years.